Clock hairspring regulator



y 5, 1964 T. J. SMULSKI 3,131,532

CLOCK HAIRSPRING REGULATOR Original Filed Aug. 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a magma; J.$-MU LSK| May 5, 1964 "r. J. SMULSKI CLOCK HAIR-SPRING REGULATOR Original Filed Aug. 28, 1958 a 5 m mm V5 J E R O D O E H T yMw/L M y 1964 T. J. SMULSK] 3,131,532

CLOCK HAIRSPRING REGULATOR Original Filed Aug. 28, 1958 '3 Shets-Sheet s Isa ,a I04- J J60 I58 I16 INVENTOR. Tnaooorea J SMULSKI 51 m M w/L MXW United States Patent 3, '1,5 a t a CL CK HAIRSPRJNG R G A I Anderson Company, a corporation of Indiana Application-Aug. 28, 1958, set; Ne. 757,884,=-whifcli is a division of application Ser. No. 549,709, Nov. 29, 1955,

now Patent No. 2,979,629, dated Aprall, 1961. Di-

videdand this application Nov. 9, 1961, Ser. No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 58-109) 7 This invention relates generally toa clock and more particularly to an electric clock.

This application is adivision of my co'pending application Serial- No; 757,884, filed August 28, 1958, now abandoned; which was a division of my copending application Serial No. 549,709, filed November 29, 1955, now Patent No. 2,979,629", issued April 11, 1961, to which reference may be made for details of structure of subsidi'a'ry itemsalluded to herein.

In the clock of this invention, a pivotal oscillatory eler'nentis arranged to drive suitable clock mechanisms as it oscillates, and electromechanical transducer means are provided for driving the oscillatory element, such means being energized in synchronism with the movement of the oscillatory element. The electromechanical transducer means is preferably an electromagnetic arrangement in which the oscillatory element forms an armature of a magnetic material, such as soft iron, disposed between two poles of electromagnet, the armature being urged by magnetic forces" into alignment with the" magnetic flux path between the poles' when the electromagnet is energized.

The oscillatory element may be urged toward a neutral position by a restoring force, preferably from a suitable hairspring, and may move in one direction from a first position through such neutral position to" a second position and then in a reverse direction back through the neutral" position to' the first position. The transducer means is preferably such that it acts generally in opposition to the1rest'oring force so that when the oscillatory element is between' the first position and the neutral position, en'- ergization' of the transducer means will urge the element toward such first position, while when the elementis between the neutral position and the second position, energization of the transducer means will urge the element toward such second position. Contact means and circuitry are controlled by movementof the oscillatory elemeiitfor energizing the transducer means'when the element moves in either directionbeyond such neutral position. a

The clock preferably incorporates a mechanism driven in one" direction from oscillatory movement of the ele ment, the drive arrangement preferably being such that drive is actuated in about thesameportions' of the cycle as those in which the transducer means is energized, to minimize any effect on' the time period of the oscillatory movement;

An-objectoflthis invention, accordingly, 'is to provide an improved clockmechanism: d Other objects and advantages of the invention will become. ap'p'arent' after the description hereinafter set forth is considered conjunctiofi with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top' plan'vie'w of the mechanismof this invention rom'oved 'fromits, casing; FIGUREZ is a front elevational view of the mechanism;

FIGURES is atop plan viewof an-assen'ibly of only certain elements of the mechanism of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE4 is a rear eleyationalview or" the assembly o'fFIGURE 3} 3,131,532 Patented May 5, 1964 FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the. line 10-10 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the oscillatory armature element and associated spring of the mechanism of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of FIGURE 6; I

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are detail views of certain portions of the mechanism of FIGURES 6 and 7.

In general, the mechanism of the clock includes a pivotal oscillatory element 35 in the form of an armature of magnetic material movable between a pair of pole elements 36 and 37 of an electromagnet having an e nergizing coil 38. The armature element 3513s urged by a suitable spiral hairspring 39 to a neutral position such as illustrated in the plan view of FIGURE 1 and, when the coil 38 of the electromagnet is energized, the armature 35 will be oscillated by the magnetic forces of thelectromagnet into alignment with the flux between the poles 36and37. I g H It will be appreciated that the element 35 will te nd to oscillate at a rate determined by its inertia and the characteristics of the spring 39 and, by energizing the electromagnet coil 38 at appropriate portions of the cycle of movement of the element 35, it may be maintained in oscillation. Accordingly, a contact arrangement is pro vided which is actuated by movement of the element 35 to control energization of the coil 38, the details forming an important feature of the parent application. p

Means generally are provided for transforming the reciprocating oscillatory movement of the element 35 into rotary movement which is used to drive the clock hands through a suitable gear train, as will be described.

The mechanism of the clock may be supported from a forward vertical frame plate 42 and a rearward frame plate 43 which are supported in fixed parallel relation ,tole'ach other and to' the clock casing by means of posts 45, 46 and 47. The frame plates 42 and 4 3, and especially the rearward plate 43, are preferably of a nonmagnetic material such as brass and a pair of plates 48 and 49 of magnetic material, such as iron or steel, are disposed on the forward face of the rearward plate ti-adjacent opposite side portions thereof, the plates 4;} and 49 having forwardly turned upper end portions 50 and 51 which may be formed to define the poles 36 a11 d 37. Therejs'a core element of magnetic material inside the coil 33 bridging" plates 48 and Q9 and thus conducting pulses of coil 38 to poles 3 6 and 37. I A p It is sufiicient here to state that energization of coil 38 is triggered to maintainelernent 35 in oscillation. I This is accomplished through circuitry to said coil including make-andbreak contacts, spring biased toward engagement. Pin 160 carried by an end face of cam 139 on shaft actuates leg portion 158 for making the contact; while cam 139 actuatesleg138 of arm 126 for breaking the contact. Both the contact-making and contact-breaking mechanisms are adjustable, and combinedwiththe adjustabilityof pole pieces 36 and 37 (described below permit precise synchronization of oscillatory element 35. The adjusting-means per scare part of the subject matter of the parent application, and reference is made thereto for full disclosure of the details.

As above indicated, mechanism is arranged to convert the oscillatory movement of the element 35 into rotating movement. This mechanism is arranged to drive a toothedwhee l 66 which, as best shown inF I GUR ES 3 and 4, is secured on a shaft 67 which carries a worm 68. A feature of the invention is in themounting of the shaft 67. In accordance with't-his feature, the end of the shaft6'7 adjacent the wheel 66 is journalled by one leg 69 of a generally L-shaped bracket 70 having a second leg 71 secured at its end against the forward face of the plate 42 'screw 77.

69 may be moved forwardly or rearwardly to thus move the end of the shaft 67 forwardly or rearwardly, this ad justment being desirable to obtain accurate and reliable operation of the mechanism 81 as will appear hereinafter.

The other end of the shaft 67 is journalled by one leg 74 of a generally L-shaped bracket 75 having a second leg 76 secured to the plate 42 by a screw 77. The plate or bracket 75 is so formed that the pressure between the leg 74 and the shaft 67'may be adjusted by means of the The worm 68 (FIGURE 4) meshes with a worm wheel 78 which carries a pinion 79 which meshes with a gear 80 secured on a shaft 81 which carries the minute hand 34. The shaft 81 may carry a pinion 82 meshed with a wheel 83 which carries a pinion 84 meshed with a gear '85 on a sleeve 86 which may support the hour hand 33.

To allow setting of the hands of the clock, there may be a frictional drive between the wheel.80 and the shaft 81 in which the wheel'80 may be urged against a collar 87 on the shaft 81 by a coiled compression spring 88 acting between the wheel 80 and a collar 89 secured to the shaft 81.

The oscillatory armature element 35 (FIGURE 7) is supported on a vertical shaft 90 the upperend of which is journalled by a bearing 91 fitted into the lower end of a screw 92 threaded into a bracket 93 having ends 94 and 95 (FIGURE 2) secured by screws 96 and 97 to the flange portions 50 and 51 of the members 48 and 49.

The spiral hairspring 39 (FIGURES 6 and 7) has its inner end secured in a collar 98 on the shaft 90 and its outer end secured by a locking wedge 99 in an opening in a plug 100 secured by a screw 101 in an opening 102 in the bracket 93.

For adjusting the effective action of the coiled hairspring 39, a plate 103 pivotal about the axis of the. screw 92 has a downturned bifurcated portion 104 embracing a point of the outer convolution of the hairspring 39, the effective tension of the spring 39 being adjustable by rotation of the plate 103. To journal the plate 103, it may have an upturned annular flange portion 105 engaged by a corrugated resilient washer 106, the washer 106 being spaced from the bracket 93 by a washer 107 with a nut 108 threaded on the screw 92 to hold the washer 106 against the annular flange 105 of the plate 103. It will be appreciated, of course, that the pressure between the bearing 91 and the upper end of the shaft 90 may be adjusted by means of the screw 92.

As shown inYFIGURE 7, the lower end of the shaft 90 is journalled in a bearing plug 109 carried by a collar '110 which is press-fitted into a lug portion 111 of the rearward frame plate 43. I V

The mechanism for transforming the oscillatory movement of the element 35 into rotary movement comprises the toothed wheel 66 above described and a device 112 secured on the shaft 90 and illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 10. The device 112 comprises a pair of vertically spaced discs 113 and 114 secured on a hub 115 which is in turn securedon the shaft 90, the upper disc 114 having an annularly upwardly projecting struckout portion 116 defining an opening 117 therein, and the lower disc 113 having a struckout portion 118 extending upwardly to one side of the opening 117 and defining an opening 119 on the periphery of the disc 113.

In operation, a tooth of the wheel 66 may be disposed between'the discs 113 and 114 and when the shaft 90 is rotatedin one direction (clockwise, as viewed from below) the portion 118 of the disc 113 will cammingly engage such'tooth and force it downwardly through the opening 119. The next tooth of the wheel 66 will then be disposed just above the upper disc 114 and when the shaft is rotated in a reverse direction (counterclockwise as viewed from below) the portion 116 of the upper disc 114 will cammingly engage such tooth and force it downwardly through the opening 117 into the space between the discs 114 and 113. This cycle will be repeated with each oscillation of the shaft 90 and it will be appreciated that a drive of the wheel 66 in one direction is achieved.

It might here be noted that by virtue of the support arrangement for the end of the shaft 67 adjacent the wheel 66, the position of the wheel 66 relative to the device 112 may be readily adjusted so as to obtain efficient operation of the motion-converting mechanism.

The poles 36 and 37 are constructed so that they may be readily adjusted into optimum relation to the armature element 35. The flange portions 50 and 51 of the members 48 and 49, which flange portions define the poles 36 and 37, have arcuate edges complementary to the periphery of the element 35, and slots are formed in the flange portions 50 and 51 in spaced generally parallel relation to said edges. By inserting the blade of a screwdriver or similar tool into the slots, the edges may be readily brought into properly spaced relation to the periphery of the element 35 as disclosed in detail in the parent application.

Operation When the clock is energized, as by connecting a suitable direct current source, such as a battery, the coil 38 will be energized. The armature element 35 will be moved in one or the other direction of oscillation, the direction of initial movement depending upon the position of the armature relative to the pole pieces 36 and 37.

The contacts are closed by a relatively limited displacement of the shaft 90 from its neutral position at which the armature 35 is positioned symmetrically be tween the pole pieces 36 and 37. A relatively greater displacement of the shaft 90 is required to open the contacts by cam 139.

Upon de-energization of coil 38, the armature 35 continues to oscillate, because of its inertia, the arcuate displacement of the armature diminishing. Initially upon de-energization, the faces of cam 139 and the pin sequentially open and close the contacts, but as the magnitude of armature displacement becomes less, the cam faces do not open the contacts, althoughthe pin 160 will rock the release'plate element 158 to close the contacts. Thus, the contacts remain closed when the armature comes to rest..

Of course, the armature is never exactly centralized between the pole pieces, but will lie approximately centrally therebetween. This random positioning of the armature 35 causes the armature to move initially in accordance with its position and without effect upon the operation of the device;

Considering first clockwise movement of the armature element 35, the surface of cam member 139 will engage the end portion 138 of the contact arm 126 to move the contacts out of engagement and thus de-energize the coil 38. Rotation 'ofthe armature element 35 may continue in a clockwise direction from the kinetic energy result ing from its motion, but eventually due to the restoring force of the spring 39, the armature element 35 will be urged back in a' counterclockwise direction. When the armature element 35 and shaft 90 rotate to a position with the face of the cam member 139 opposite the end portion 138 of the contactarm 126, the arm 126 will not move back to engage the contacts. However, with further counterclockwise movement of the armature element 35, the pin 160 will engage the leg 158 to effect a clockwise movement of the device about its forward edge of the element 35 in elfecting further counterclockwise movement of the element 35.

It should be noted that the mechanism which converts the oscillatory movement of the shaft 90 into rotational movement of the wheel 66 is so related to the contacting assembly that the drive is imparted to the wheel 66 during substantially the same portions of the cycle that the coil 38 is energized. Accordingly, the eifect on the natural vibratory movement of the element 35 is minimized, to thus minimize the effect on the accuracy of operation of the instrument. By virtue of the contact arrangement of this invention, it is possible to accurately adjust the portions of each cycle when the contacts are closed, so as to achieve this highly accurate operation.

When the clock is disconnected tnom the source ocf electricity, the electromagnet will, of course, no longer driving force to the oscillatory element 35 and the amplitude of oscillation gradually reduce. Accordingly, if the clock is de-energized, the oscillatory element will ultimately reach a position with .the contacts closed, so that when the clock is re-energizcd, the coil 38 will be energized and ope-ration of the oscillatory mechanism must be initiated. Hence, there is no dead position of the mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to :be understood as limiting myselt to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements and combinations of pants herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A structure for controlling the hairspring of a timing mechanism, said structure comprising a frame having a pair of spaced members, a bearing carried by one of said members, a screw thrcadedly connected to the other of said members and provided with a bearing, a shaft journalled in said bearings, a hairspring having one end secured to said shaft and an opposite end stationarily secured with respect to said frame, an annular abutment surrounding said screw and bearing against an external suuface of said other member, a control element engaging said spring and provided with an annular flanged opening with the screw extending through the opening and the flange receiving said abutment affording manually pivotal adjustment of said element for controlling its engagement with said spring, a resiliently flexible part surrounding said screw, and a nut carried by said screw for clamping said part against said abutment and said flange for firmly pressing and holding said element against said other member after adjustment.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, in which the annular abutment is in the form of a washer having a thickness which is slightly less than the axial extent of said annular flange and said resiliently flexible part is flexed under stress against the flange of said opening.

3. The structure defined in claim 1, in which the control element is provided with-an ofiset extending between the spaced members for engaging the spring and with an outwardly extending portion disposed diametrically from said oifset for manual engagement to facilitate adjustment of said element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,793 Porter Nov. 15, 1910 1,785,267 Large et a1. Dec. 16, 1930 1,961,958 Bulloch June 5, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 954,276 France June 6, 1949 

1. A STRUCTURE FOR CONTROLLING THE HAIRSPRING OF A TIMING MECHANISM, SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISING A FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED MEMBERS, A BEARING CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID MEMBERS, A SCREW THREADEDLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS AND PROVIDED WITH A BEARING, A SHAFT JOURNALLED IN SAID BEARINGS, A HAIRSPRING HAVING ONE END SECURED TO SAID SHAFT AND AN OPPOSITE END STATIONARILY SECURED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME, AN ANNULAR ABUTMENT SURROUNDING SAID SCREW AND BEARING AGAINST AN EXTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID OTHER MEMBER, A CONTROL ELEMENT ENGAGING SAID SPRING AND PROVIDED WITH AN ANNULAR FLANGED OPENING WITH THE SCREW EXTENDING THROUGH THE OPENING AND THE FLANGE RECEIVING SAID ABUTMENT AFFORDING MANUALLY PIVOTAL ADJUSTMENT OF SAID ELEMENT FOR CONTROLLING ITS ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SPRING, A RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE PART SURROUNDING SAID SCREW, AND A NUT CARRIED BY SAID SCREW FOR CLAMPING SAID PART AGAINST SAID ABUTMENT AND SAID FLANGE FOR FIRMLY PRESSING AND HOLDING SAID ELEMENT AGAINST SAID OTHER MEMBER AFTER ADJUSTMENT. 